Delray Beach, FL Mental Health Therapy & Counseling

Counseling & Therapy for Mental Health Disorders

Therapy and counseling help individuals address and manage a wide range of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more. 

Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by significant and long-lasting pervasive disruptions in mood that affect a person’s emotional state, daily functioning, and overall well-being. They include conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bipolar disorder, and others.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder marked by prolonged feelings of unhappiness, worthlessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can manifest both mentally and physically and impact energy levels, concentration, sleep patterns, and appetite. MDD is one common form of depression, consisting of symptoms that can range from mild to severe and vary from one person to the next. 

Key components of individual therapy for depression typically include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the exploration of thoughts and feelings, the development of improved coping skills, and goal-setting. Antidepressants and other medications may also be prescribed if needed.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are marked by profound, persistent, and often undue fear and worry. Although experiencing some anxiety is normal and adaptive when reacting to a perceived threat, excessive distress of this type may be evidence of an anxiety disorder. Various conditions include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder.

Individual therapy addresses anxiety through the use of therapeutic components such as CBT, exposure therapy, mindfulness, and stress management techniques. Medications such as antidepressants may be prescribed if appropriate.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Individuals with OCD experience enduring, unpleasant, and intrusive thoughts and engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts to lessen the anxiety they cause. (1) These obsessions and compulsions can cause significant impairments in daily functioning, partially due to the considerable amount of time they require to perform their compulsive rituals. 

OCD is treated similarly to depression and other anxiety disorders through the use of CBT techniques such as exposure response prevention (ERP). ERP is a first-line treatment approach for OCD, exposing individuals to stress-inducing thoughts or situations while preventing the usual compulsive response. (2) Medication, such as antidepressants, is also sometimes used when appropriate.

Trauma & PTSD

People who develop PTSD have suffered or witnessed a traumatic event such as military combat, natural disasters, accidents, assaults, or other life-threatening experiences. The condition includes symptoms such as flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance. 

PTSD is most commonly treated using prolonged exposure, a form of CBT that allows individuals to confront and process traumatic events in a safe and supportive setting. Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is another approach that focuses on identifying and challenging unhealthy thought patterns related to the event(s). (3) Antidepressants are commonly used as an adjunct treatment for trauma and PTSD when needed.